Current Cap Money Available

I don't know if this is true or not, but one cap guru told me that we currently sit $500,000 under the cap. I assume this number includes the current amount held by #9, and his current contract.

If true, then we virtually have zero money available to sign our picks. That is until we restructure/cut McNair, and possibly restructure a few others, (Sirmon, et al)

The Ravens have stated that they have all the leverage in the McNair trade/release saga, which they do if the above is true.

If we wait on the McNair deal to keep him out of the Ravens camp, how can we get our picks signed and get them into Titans camp?

If we go ahead and sign our guys, and in turn blow by the cap figure at mach 3 with our hair on fire, then the handwriting will be on the wall and the Ravens can simply wait until "Black Monday" or whatever day the cut falls on.

Then if we do find a comfortable figure between the team and McNair, inevitably some other guys will have to go. Of the drama ....

Your figures are correct Don, and they do include McNair's full cap hit (close to $24 million). Trading or releasing McNair would free up the $9 million salary he is due this season (the $1 million bonus due in September isn't on the books yet as far as I know, I could be wrong.). His $14-million plus in pro-rated bonus money would still be on the books. But, McNair isn't the only avenue to get money (we probably need to free up about $5 million to sign the new class). Releasing Piller and Sirmon would be another choice, and of course, other contracts can be re-structured, but let's not forget that's how we got into the cap mess to begin with, so I'm sure Reese will be very careful who he re-structures. We won't start negotiating with the rookie class until July, probably, so by that time the money will be there one way or another. Obviously, McNair will be renegotiated (doubtful since he insists on a multi-year contract) released or traded before training camp starts.

Sunshine....the "rookie pool" is a mysterious thing to me. We hear it talked about but I've never been certain how such a "pool" works. All I know is that from everything I've read, the Titans definitely need to free up about $5 million or so to sign this year's class.

You need a portion of your cap freed up for the rookie pool. I don't remember exactly...SK would know...but they determine how much of a pool you need based on what your picks are. Then you negotiate with your draft pick from that pool of money. However, it's still part of your cap.

The Titans should have 3 plans...

First, what they will accept in trade for McNair.

Second, how much they are willing to pay McNair in a re-negotiation.

Third, how to pair the roster down and keep McNair at his current salary if they don't budge on restructuring his contract. I would guess we'd end up cutting Sirmon and a few others. It can be done but I don't think Reese will do it.

Unlike what the Ravens are saying, they DONT have all the leverage in this situation. In fact, they have none. McNair is under contract with the Titans. If the Titans had to release McNair in July or August, that's precious little time for McNair to learn their system and really contribute right away. I think it would end up not helping them too much this year. And if they are gonna pay McNair big bucks, they need to get him NOW!

Plus, if McNair stays on the trade-block, the Ravens won't be the ONLY team calling and if the Titans trade McNair to someone else...where does that leave the Ravens? Losing as usual.

BTW, the Jets could sure use a good vet QB along with a few other teams.

Titantonic is correct. Also, the $1M due McNair in September doesn't count against the cap yet, and never will be unless and until it's actually paid to him.

There is no "extra money" that is made available to a team for their rookie pool. Each team must sign their rookies withing the existing cap of $102.5M, although each team will be given a different pool number, based on their draft picks.

Tom Silverstein, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports the National Football League allocated the Tennessee Titans $5,844,517 million under the 2006 rookie salary cap pool, according to a source with access to NFL Players Association salary data.

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